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Tuesday, August 19, 2008

SAP Testing

SAP testing

Over recent years as ERP systems have evolved, so has their complexity and scale of integration with other systems. SAP combines this with an evolving architecture, expanding functionality and regular patch releases to create heavy demands on your testing programme. High frequency of regression testing and the requirement to understand the impact on performance of changes in the use of your SAP system create a need for highly skilled and technical test resources.

SQS’ SAP Proposition

SQS has a range of services to support that need for skills and specific test resources across a number of SAP technologies and solutions including:

To maximise efficiencies across an SAP programme it is essential to agree a strategy across all key stakeholders that addresses the techniques, tools, risks and challenges inherent in any SAP project. SQS’ strategists can unite the different teams to deliver a programme wide strategy.

With frequent patch releases, the spectre of a lengthy regression period looms high and so does the cost of testing. Through effective use of automation, turnaround time of regression can be reduced, and a rapid return on investment realized over a few cycles. SQS can provide skills in tools such as HP’s Quick Test Pro (QTP) to build a set of scalable and reusable test assets that can run with every patch release or upgrade.

Performance Testing and Tuning

With SLAs around completion of business transactions, reports and batch processes, it is essential to be able to understand how an SAP system is going to perform, whether it’s a hardware upgrade, software upgrade, migration or addition of a new SAP solution.

With skills in a number of performance test tools such as HP’s LoadRunner, SQS can build the scripts to create the load across all required SAP modules and analyze all aspects of the architecture, from the appserver, db server and network to help with capacity planning, identify and move the bottleneck.

New SAP Technologies, Technical Testing

SQS can de-mystify new SAP technologies such as BIW Business Information Warehouse, Netweaver and XI and give you confidence that new risks are captured and covered by the test strategy and mitigated in the downstream implementation of that strategy. SQS bring skills in SOA architectures and testing to ensure that with integration with third party systems over web services, the correct plans, implemented with the correct tools is effected with maximum reuse across all test phases.

Environments and Data

Management of test environments and the provision of data is a real headache when testing SAP. SQS’s Environment Engineering services help solve data and transport issues such as:

Environment deployment Data migration Data protection Data synthesis

These issues affect the lifecycle of testing, from functional to performance.

Through our partnership with Gamma Technologies, we can help construct the test environment to meet the requirements of your test cases using tools like “Infoshuttle” to reduce the amount of Master and Transactional data transported between environments.

Tools Selection and Implementation

SQS can give you best advice with regards to the tools required best fit your requirements and SAP programme. As a Platinum Partner of HP, SQS is able to give guidance on implementation and integration of test tools such as:

SQS’ Structured Systems Testing Methodology or SSTM for SAP covers all aspects of testing from the definition of the overall strategy from the Business Blueprint to Go-Live for all types of SAP implementation including:

SSTM builds your test assets in a structured fashion and leverages SQS’ templates and tools to build a platform based on reusable assets and rapid Return On Investment.

SSTM Phases

Analysis PhaseFor any SAP implementation, the correct strategy is essential to ensure that all the areas of risk are identified and are addressed with the correct approach. This is created in the Analysis Phase:

The strategy assesses the needs of all solutions being implemented and will cover:

Environments and data Requirements coverage Use of test tools Integration with external systems Target work packages Resource requirements Clearly defined paths of entrance and exit criteria are set to ensure that all phases following the strategy are engaged in the correct manner.

Planning

Once a programme strategy is in place, detailed planning can begin. SQS can bring skills to the design and construction of effective test plans across all testing phases and teams:

The Preparation Phase involves the creation of the test assets defined in the detailed planning phase. Test scripts, automation scripts, test data, process definition and checklists are all constructed ready for Execution. On completion, a readiness assessment is made to ensure that all dependencies have been met; environments are prepared and set up as per the test case requirements.

Execution

In Execution, SSTM defines that:

Tests are executed as defined in the test plans. Test execution progress is visible and all key stakeholders are aware of progress. Tests are reviewed and amended as required based on feedback. Using SQS’ TestStrategist application ensures high visibility of key testing metrics, integrating with Quality Center and back to the Business Blueprint:

Evaluation

The final Quality Gate before Go-Live, the Evaluation Phase, reviews the results of tests so far and makes recommendations on next steps to verify any fixes that have been determined from the interim results so far.

Teamwork

Communication is essential for every successful project and we speak the language of SAP business and technology. SQS will work seamlessly with your business users, Basis teams, infrastructure teams and partners; we are committed to making your SAP programme a success.